Origin
Norfolk, VA
Late night in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 32m
Distance
241.5 mi
389 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, VA
Wikimedia Commons
Henry Fork, VA
Tara Winstead
This 241.5-mile journey from Norfolk, VA to Henry Fork, VA is a straightforward trip that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 32 minutes. You'll primarily navigate through the Southeast region of Virginia, sticking to roads like Portsmouth Boulevard, Highway 58, and Governor Harrison Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of around $38, this route offers a budget-friendly option for a day trip. The drive is a mixed bag, suggesting you'll experience varied road conditions rather than a constant interstate cruise. Consider this a manageable one-day adventure with minimal planning needed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.8 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Boulevard | 62.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Highway 58 | 40.4 mi | 51m |
| Governor Harrison Parkway | 22.5 mi | 30m |
| Halifax Road | 16.3 mi | 22m |
| West Gretna Road | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Old Franklin Turnpike | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Chatham Road | 12.9 mi | 19m |
| US 29 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Henry Fork, VA.
Start on East City Hall Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 664
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 58
Continue on US 1; US 58
Continue on US 58
Turn straight onto US 58
Continue on US 58; VA 49
Turn right onto US 360
Turn left onto VA 34
At end of road, turn right onto VA 129
Continue on VA 129
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 501
Continue on US 501
Turn left onto VA 360
Turn right onto VA 57
Continue on VA 57
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29
Take the exit
Turn left onto VA 40
Continue on VA 40
Turn left onto SR 705
Continue on SR 674
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 674
Turn left onto Bowles Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour and 32-minute duration, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid arriving too late. You'll have one stop on this 241.5-mile route, so plan your break strategically. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is prudent, especially during the longest stretch of 62.1 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing, but aim to start early to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 53 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Henry Fork, VA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norfolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 5h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 120.8 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Portsmouth Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn straight onto US 58 / Clarksville Bypass toward US 58 West, US 15 South, VA 49 South: South Boston, Danville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$37.77 one way
$75.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $41.29 | $82.59 |
| premium | $4.70 | $44.70 | $89.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.32 | $106.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.36 | $11.59 |
| Efficient EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.13 | $9.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.81 | $15.46 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Norfolk on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Henry Fork on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
74°F
Henderson, NC
121 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 241.5-mile route, with about 40% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.1 miles on Portsmouth Boulevard, so be prepared for extended periods on this particular roadway. As you progress, the character of the drive will likely change, transitioning between faster-paced highway sections and potentially more local or town-influenced roads. This blend means you'll need to adjust your driving style and awareness throughout the 5-hour and 32-minute journey.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 241.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.2 miles (I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Norfolk, VA to Henry Fork, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Danville
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. The downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions. Norfolk is one of the top cruise ports in the country.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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